91 parties ask INEC to remove Amina Zakari as result collation panel chair

91 parties under the aegis of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, the body officially recognized by INEC to speak on behalf of all political parties in the country, have asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately remove Amina Zakari as the chairperson of the Committee on National Collation Centre.

Recall that Amina Zakari’s appointment as the chairperson of the Committee on National Collation Centre sparked controversy yesterday, as some Nigerians called out the electoral body on social media.
Punch reported that four political parties including the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressive Grand Alliance on Thursday, asked the electoral umpire to remove Zakari who is believed to be a blood relation of President Muhammadu Buhari.

President of IPAC, Mr. Peter Ameh, who conveyed the decision of the 91 parties in a statement, stated that though Amina Zakari who is a National Commissioner, is very much qualified to handle the job since having acted as the chairman of INEC in the past, however with less than 45 days to the general elections, the commission would do well by avoiding such needless controversies, adding that he had received over 26 calls from party chairmen.

According to Ameh, the elections must not only be fair but must be seen to be fair by all political parties and Zakari’s position would continue to cast doubts over the polls.

“If it is about qualifications, Amina is qualified but the issue is that when you want a credible election, it is not just for the elections to be transparent but for people to believe and see that it is transparent.
“Election is not a blind trust. You cannot just tell someone to trust you. It must be seen to be transparent. The entire process of elections before, during and after the polls must be based on mutual trust.
“INEC must get the trust of all parties and make sure the process is seen to be transparent. I have received over 26 calls from party chairmen in the last 24 hours. So, if I have that, I am sure the INEC chairman has received more. If there are other national commissioners available, let INEC appoint one of them” he said.